A national media figure and target of Kenneth Starr's investigation into Whitewater dealings of President Bill Clinton will be the featured speaker at the Pope County Democrats' fund-raising dinner next month.

Susan McDougal, a former investment partner of Clinton who ultimately went to jail for refusing to answer grand jury questions, will be in Russellville on April 8 as part of a mid-term fund-raising dinner hosted by the Pope County Democratic Committee.

Billed as "An Evening With Susan McDougal," the event will take place at Arkansas Tech University's Chambers Cafeteria beginning at 6 p.m. April 8. McDougal, who is not charging the Pope County Democrats for her appearance, will sign autographs beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased by calling Bobbye McAlister (968-5347), Leigh Whiteside (968-5865), Olin Cook (968-4203) or by contacting any member of the local Democratic committee. Money raised will be used for community projects sponsored by the Democratic committee and local candidates.

McDougal served 18 months in prison for refusing to answer questions about President and Mrs. Clinton before the Whitewater grand jury. She ask authored a book titled, "The Woman Who Wouldn't Talk," explaining why she refused to testify against the Clintons and what she learned during her incarceration.

President Clinton pardoned Susan McDougal shortly before he left office in 2001.

"McDougal paid this heavy price for refusing to nail former President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary in the investigation of the Whitewater land deal, which had gone sour before the Clintons ever left Arkansas," Thomas wrote. "She also refused to go along with sleazy deals offered by the Office of Independent Counsel, led by Kenneth Starr, that would have saved her from imprisonment."

Cook, the chairman of the Pope County Democratic Committee, said McDougal's appearance would benefit the party.

"She speaks all over the country," Cook said. "To have someone of her caliber come to Russellville is wonderful. My admiration for her is the fact that she will speak out about her experiences."

McAlister said the dinner is not just for Democrats, but those wishing to learn more about McDougal.

"This is an event for everybody who wants to hear her story," she said.

Other prominent Democrats are expected to attend the dinner, McAlister said.

The fund-raising dinner is the first time Democrats have hosted such an event in Pope County during an off-election year, according to Cook, who became the party chairman last summer. Cook is a former State Representative and professor at Arkansas Tech University.

"We've wanted to be more active with these types of events all the time, not just in election years," Cook said. "We're looking forward to this event."